Speech and Language Therapy

Pediatric speech-language therapists, also known as speech-language pathologists, work with children who have communication difficulties. Some of the specific conditions and disorders that pediatric speech-language therapists treat may include:

1. Language delays or disorders: This refers to difficulties with understanding and/or using language appropriately.

2. Articulation and phonological disorders: These are difficulties with the production of speech sounds and/or the rules that govern their use in language.

3. Stuttering: A speech disorder in which the flow of speech is interrupted by repetitions, blocks, or prolongations of sounds, syllables, or words.

4. Voice disorders: This includes problems with pitch, loudness, or quality of the voice, such as hoarseness.

5. Feeding and swallowing disorders: These are difficulties with eating, drinking, and swallowing safely.

6. Autism spectrum disorder: Children with autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty with communication, social interaction, and behavior.

7. Cognitive-communication disorders: This refers to difficulties with communication that result from cognitive impairments, such as those caused by a traumatic brain injury or a developmental disability.

8. Hearing impairment: Children with hearing loss may require speech and language therapy to develop communication skills.

9. Apraxia of speech: A motor speech disorder that affects the ability to plan and coordinate the movements necessary for speech.

Pediatric speech-language therapists may also work with children who have other conditions or disorders that affect communication and swallowing.